248) Big Audio Dynamite - Tighten Up Volume 88

No sod off, just do one, what the hell was going on?

BAD had delivered with their first two records and their second had seen a certain Joe Strummer co-write and co-produce, no Clash reunion but if Mick and Joe can keep up the co-writes for BAD then they will go from strength to strength.

The first single arrived, Just Play Music, no Strummer, and the video was on The Chart Show, and you would think they were one of the biggest bands in the world as they play stadiums. The only thing is that yes, it is true they are playing stadiums but as support to U2, Mick must have stood on the sidelines every night thinking why is this not The Clash. The song is catchy enough with a decent chorus but failed to make the top forty.

The album followed and limped into the charts at thirty-three and disappeared quick. I went into Glasgow the day it was out as I was, and still am, a huge Mick Jones fan. Record out on the train home and no Strummer co-writes (hence the opening no sod off, at the start of the review). We did have an impressive painting from Paul Simonon on the front cover but that’s hardly the point, were we going to read that Topper Headon made the tea on album number four?

At the time I sang its praises, they had delivered again but all these years later its clear to me that of the four records the original band released this was their weakest. It’s not a poor record but is a drop off from the first two.

Opener Rock Non-Stop starts with a groove but the chorus isn’t great, and it never gets out of first gear and Other 99 is more direct and Mick’s guitar is to the forefront, it was a never a single and was no surprise when it flopped.

Funny Names is pleasant, but Applecart is more like it a real engaged vocal from Mick and solid drums from the always underrated Greg Roberts and the band provide an excellent stomp along with Esquerita, but I find Champagne a cringe fest “put that gin in the bin.”

The big song is The Battle of All Saints Road where Mick tells the story of bringing the band together and London life over a swaggering beat with added banjos with Don Letts rapping over the top, reading that back it sounds awful, trust me it’s not.

Hip, Neck & Thigh could be on Sandinista and 2000 Shoes could be on Cut the Crap, that’s probably a bit unfair but it’s an annoying song and the title track just meanders.

I still enjoy this record, and they certainly were not finished but this was the album where the record buying public lost interest in Big Audio Dynamite which was a real shame for what was to come with Megatop Phoenix.

6.25/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: The Battle of All Saints Road